PASTOR LARRY KASSEBAUM 9-Week Bible Study January 2 - February 27, 2017 How to access power to live on, people to live with, principles to live by, plans to live out and a purpose to live for.
RUNNING THE BASES 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Equipment Bag Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts Find a Place of Meaningful Ministry Outreach Ministries Feed Yourself Self Assessment/Mentoring Equipment Bag Spiritual Practice Worship Bible Study Prayer Daily Devotions Small Groups Becoming a Servant Becoming a Disciple RUNNING THE BASES AT VICTORY Equipment Bag Becoming Contagious Learn how to Share Faith Story Equip Godly Parents Lead Ministry Team/Small Group Children/Youth Ministries Becoming a Believer Equipment Bag New Members Class Baptism Alpha Class Philippians 3:13-14 I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
INTRODUCTION TO A JESUS-SHAPED LIFE I came that you might have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10b More! That s what most of want from life. But more of the wrong things doesn t make life better and it can actually make it worse. The more I think most of us really want, is a Christian life that is abundant, purposeful and passionate. When these qualities are present in our lives we will more than likely enjoy life ourselves and make the lives of those around us better as well. But there is often a disconnect between our expectations and our daily experiences. The purpose of this class is intended to give you some tools that should help you make some simple changes in your lives and relationships that will transform your life. We ll begin with the premise that Jesus intends for us to live in His Kingdom right now! The life that Jesus wants for us doesn t have to wait until some far-off, distant, future realm. It is not a state of mind. It is not something we only dream about or long for. We are in it! Jesus wants us to learn to live as He lived so that our lives, our relationships and our world will be transformed by a life of total surrender and a passionate pursuit of what matters to Him. These nine weeks are not about studying discipleship, it is about being disciples. Jesus always begins with an invitation. He said, Come, follow me to two fishermen and they were never the same again. When Peter and Andrew walked away from their nets that day they had no idea how God was going to use that simple act of obedience to change them and the world forever. They chose to respond to His invitation that day and each day thereafter. They did life with Him, learned about God through Him and became more and more like Him. That s what this class will seek to offer you. The nine lessons included in this booklet are intended to invite you into a deeper relationship with God. This booklet will offer you have a chance to include some notes from our teaching time. It is also intended to encourage you to make some personal reflections about what we learn in our class sessions. I hope you use these next nine weeks to focus on three key disciplines: Reflect, Respond and React. My real goal for these weeks together is to equip you to show faith to others in your life through your words and deeds. The first disciples passed their faith along to the next generation of disciples and we need to do that as well. I m confident that if you can show others that you have a close personal relationship with Jesus, a passionate faith that has an impact on everything you do, abundant energy for God s kingdom and a desire for everyone you meet to know Jesus as you do, you will be blessed and so will everyone that comes into contact with you. Welcome to this adventure!!! Senior Pastor CLASS LINEUP: Week 1 - January 2, 2017 THE FIVE P S THAT YOU NEED FOR AN ABUNDANT LIFE Week 2 - January 9, 2017 LIVING BY GRACE Week 3 - January 16, 2017 YOU VE GOT TO GET CONNECTED Week 4 - January 23, 2017 HOW TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE Week 5 - January 30, 2017 BUILDING YOUR LIFE ON A SOLID FOUNDATION Week 6 - February 6, 2017 USING THE BIBLE TO MAKE DECISIONS Week 7 - February 13, 2017 HOW TO INVEST YOUR LIFE Week 8 - February 20, 2017 RECEIVE AND REFLECT GOD S LOVE Week 9 - February 27, 2017 FULFILLING MY LIFE MISSION
A Jesus-Shaped Life THE FIVE P S THAT YOU NEED FOR AN ABUNDANT LIFE Week 1 - January 2, 2017 1. I NEED TO. Even youth grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:30-31 Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 2. I NEED TO. God said, It is not good for the man to be alone Genesis 2:18 Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together. If one falls down, the other can help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a Let us not neglect our meeting together Hebrews 10:24-25 3. I NEED TO. I am a pilgrim here on earth; I need a map and Your commands are my chart and guide. Psalm 119:19 Everyone who hears My words and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. Matthew 7:24 4. I NEED A TO. God has made us what we are, in Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing. Ephesians 2:10 God gives us many kind of special abilities, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service to God, but it is the same Lord we are serving. 1 Corinthians 12:4-5 5. I NEED A TO. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to tell people the Good News about God s grace. Acts 20:24 The thing you should want most is God s kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you. Matthew 6:33 Jesus has the power of God. His power has given us everything we need to live and to serve God. We have these things because we know Him. 2 Peter 1:3
NOTES STUDY QUESTIONS 1. What did you find encouraging, informative or challenging about today s study? 2. Are you aware of any symptoms in your life that might suggest that you have some misplaced priorities? 3. What specific action steps do you want to take refocus, redirect your life going forward?
A Jesus-Shaped Life LIVING BY GRACE Week 2 - January 9, 2017 5 ESSENTIALS FOR LIFE Power to live on. People to live with. Principles to live by. A plan to live out. A purpose to live for. Whatever I am now it is all because God poured out such kindness and grace upon me 1 Corinthians 15:10a From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16 WHAT IS GRACE? G. If it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. Romans 11:6 All of us need to be made right with God by His grace, which is a free gift through Jesus Christ. Romans 3:24 R. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves. It is the free gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 People receive God s promise by having faith. This happens so the promise can be a free gift. Romans 4:16a A. The promise is not only for those people that live under the law of Moses. It is for anyone who lives with faith like Abraham. Romans 4:16b (ICB) Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13 C. We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved. Acts 15:12 many people have received God s gift of life by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:15b Jesus has the power of God. His power has given us everything we need to live and to serve God. We have these things because we know Him. 2 Peter 1:3 E. The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NLT) The Lord longs to be gracious to you. Isaiah 30:18
NOTES STUDY QUESTIONS 1. What did you find encouraging, informative or challenging about today s study? 2. How have you personally experienced God s grace and mercy? 3. What is your favorite Bible story illustrating God s grace? 4. What specific action steps do you want to take refocus, redirect your life going forward?
A Jesus-Shaped Life YOU VE GOT TO GET CONNECTED Week 3 - January 16, 2017 It is not good for man to be alone. Genesis. 2:18 I. WHY IS IT VITAL TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS? II. WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE SPIRITUALLY CONNECTED? 4 METAPHORS FOR BEING PART OF A CHURCH 1. IT S LIKE BEING A. You believers are like a building that God owns Jesus is the most important stone in the building and the whole building is joined together in Christ You are being built into a place where God lives through the Spirit. Ephesians 2:20-22 We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Ephesians 2:21 In a BUILDING, the connected parts. 2. IT S LIKE BEING A. Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ s Body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others. Romans 12:4-5 In Christ s Body we re all connected to each other Ephesians 4:25b We are joined together in His Body by His strong sinews, and we grow as we get our nourishment and strength from God. Colossians 2:19 In a BODY, the connected parts. 3. IT S LIKE BEING A. God made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Psalm 100:3 Take care of God s flock, His people, that you are responsible for. Watch over them because you want to, not because you are forced to do it. 1 Peter 5:2 In a FLOCK, the sheep are. 4. IT S LIKE BEING A. I want you to know how people who are members of God s family must live. God s family is the church 1 Timothy 3:15 (GWT) Love each other like brothers and sisters. Romans 12:10 In a FAMILY, the members. How can I get connected to this church family? First they gave themselves to the Lord; and then, by God s will, they gave themselves to us as well. 2 Corinthians 8:5
NOTES STUDY QUESTIONS 1. What did you find encouraging, informative or challenging about today s study? 2. How healthy are your spiritual relationships? Would Jesus you are adequately connected to other believers? 3. What are some of the major barriers in your life to spiritual connectivity? 4. What specific action steps do you want to take refocus, redirect your life going forward?
A Jesus-Shaped Life HOW TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE Week 4 - January 23, 2017 A sweet friendship refreshes the soul. Proverbs 27:9 1. BE AND TAKE THE INITIATIVE. For the Holy Spirit, God s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them. 2 Timothy 1:7 2. BE OF THEIR NEEDS. Look out for one another s interests, not just your own. Philippians 2:4 You must make allowance for each other s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, God forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 3. BE WITH YOUR WORDS. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 4. BE ABOUT PROBLEMS. An honest answer is the sign of a true friendship. Proverbs 24:26 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted Proverbs 27:5-6 5. BE WITH INFORMATION. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. Proverbs 11:13 6. BE TO THE RELATIONSHIP. A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
NOTES STUDY QUESTIONS 1. What did you find encouraging, informative or challenging about today s study? 2. Why do we so easily get disconnected from key relationships and why is it so hard to get reconnected? 3. How does God help us develop and maintain relationships? 4. What specific action steps do you want to take refocus, redirect your life going forward?
A Jesus-Shaped Life BUILDING YOUR LIFE ON A SOLID FOUNDATION Week 5 - January 30, 2017 The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 HOW DO I KNOW THE BIBLE IS TRUE? The evidence of The evidence of The evidence of Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 HOW DO I BUILD ON THE TRUTH? 1. GOD S WORD. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 The problem: We forget % of what we hear after 72 hours. 2. GOD S WORD. Happy is the one who reads the words of God s message Revelation 1:3 (The Scriptures) shall be his constant companion. He must read from it every day of his life so that he will learn to respect the Lord his God by obeying all of His commands. Deuteronomy 17:19 3. GOD S WORD. They accepted the message eagerly and studied the Scriptures every day Acts 17:11 Know what His Word says and means. 2 Timothy 2:15 4. GOD S WORD. Guard My words as your most precious possession. Write them down, and also keep them deep within your heart. Proverbs 7:2-3 I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 5. GOD S WORD. They love the Lord s teachings, and they think about those teachings day and night. They are strong, like a tree planted by a river everything they do will succeed. Psalms 1:2-3 Your life is shaped by your thoughts. Proverbs 4:23 Meditate on (the Word) day and night, so you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 6. GOD S WORD. Do not fool yourselves by just listening to the Word. Instead, put it into practice. James 1:22 Whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven Matthew 5:19 Now that you know these things do them! That is the path of blessing! John 13:17
NOTES STUDY QUESTIONS 1. What did you find encouraging, informative or challenging about today s study? 2. What have been some of your best experiences with the Bible? What factor made those times better than others? 3. What do you think are some of the barriers that keep you from reading and enjoying the Bible? 4. What specific action steps do you want to take refocus, redirect your life going forward?
A Jesus-Shaped Life USING THE BIBLE TO MAKE DECISIONS Week 6 - February 6, 2017 If you want better insight and discernment learn the importance of reverence for the Lord and of trusting Him. He shows how to distinguish right from wrong, how to find the right decision every time. Proverbs 2:5 & 9 SIX WAYS TO TEST A DECISION 1. THE IDEAL TEST: IS IT IN HARMONY? Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 2. THE INTEGRITY TEST: WOULD I WANT EVERYONE? The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9 Knowing what is right to do and then not doing it is sin. James 4:17 If someone believes something is wrong, then he shouldn t do it because for him it is wrong. Romans 14:14b 3. THE IMPROVEMENT TEST: WILL IT MAKE ME? Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial, (and) not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23 4. THE INDEPENDENCE TEST: COULD IT BECOME? All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12b I can do anything I want to IF Christ has not said no, BUT some of these things aren t good for me. Even if I am allowed to do them, I ll refuse to if I think they might get such a grip on me that I can t easily stop when I want to. 1 Corinthians 6:12 5. THE INFLUENCE TEST: WILL IT HARM? Each of us will give an account of himself to God Try to live in such a way that you will never make your brother stumble by letting him see you doing something he thinks is wrong. Romans 14:12-13 Even if we believe that it makes no difference to the Lord whether we do these things, still we cannot just go ahead and do them to please ourselves; we must bear the burden of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others Romans 15:1-2 6. THE INVESTMENT TEST: IS IT THE? Be very careful how you live. Don t live like those who are not wise. Live wisely. I mean that you should use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times. So don t be foolish with your lives. Learn what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:15-17
NOTES STUDY QUESTIONS 1. What did you find encouraging, informative or challenging about today s study? 2. What are some of the differences between about what the Bible says and thinking like the Bible says? Which do you do more frequently? 3. Can you think of a time you made a deliberate decision to listen to the Bible and not do something you wanted? What happened? 4. What specific action steps do you want to take refocus, redirect your life going forward?
A Jesus-Shaped Life HOW TO INVEST YOUR LIFE Week 7 - February 13, 2017 We are God s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 SEVEN PRINCIPLES FOR INVESTING YOUR LIFE - MATTHEW 25:14-30 1. OWNERSHIP: Everything I have. Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. (vs. 14) 2. ALLOCATION: God has given me some. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. (vs. 15) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us Romans 12:6 3. ACCOUNTABILITY: God expects me to. After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts. (vs. 19) One day God will ask ME: What did you with what you were? 4. UTILIZATION: It is wrong for me to. 1st man doubled his talents. (vs. 16) 2nd man doubled his talents (vs. 17) 3rd man his talents. (vs. 18) The master s reaction: (vs. 26-27) you wicked, lazy servant 5. MOTIVATION: keeps me from using my talent. I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. (vs 25) 6. APPLICATION: If I don t use it,. Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. (vs 28) The way to invest my talents is through: 3. COMPENSATION: If I use my talent wisely, I will. His master replied, Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master s happiness! (vs. 23) When are you going to Move into Ministry?
NOTES STUDY QUESTIONS 1. What did you find encouraging, informative or challenging about today s study? 2. What happens when the focus of your life is on being a contributor and not a consumer? Which are you now? 3. What are some of you most unique gifts, abilities, experiences and passions? How effectively are you using them? 4. What specific action steps do you want to take refocus, redirect your life going forward?
A Jesus-Shaped Life RECEIVE AND REFLECT GOD S LOVE Week 8 - February 20, 2017 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 23:37-38 Expressing my love to God is called. 1. BY TO HIM. Sing out your thanks to Him; sing praises to our God Psalm 147:7 Regularly Occasionally Rarely 2. BY WITH HIM. I love the Lord because He hears and answers my prayers. Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalm 116:1-2 Regularly Occasionally Rarely 3. BY TO HIM. I am the good shepherd I know My own sheep, and they know Me and they listen to My voice. John 10:14, 16 Regularly Occasionally Rarely 4. BY WITH HIM. If anyone is ashamed of Me and My teaching then I will be ashamed of him when I come with the glory of My Father Mark 8:38 2 WAYS: COMMUNION & BAPTISM When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace a new life in a new land! That s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Romans 6:3 Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as He did Christ. Colossians 2:12 Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe Christ s life, the fulfillment of God s original promise. Galatians 3:27 Regularly Occasionally Rarely 5. BY TO HIM. Take your everyday, ordinary life your sleeping, eating, going-to-work and walking-around life and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Romans 12:1 Regularly Occasionally Rarely 6. BY TO HIM. Just as you excel in faith, in speech, in knowledge and in complete earnestness see that you also excel in the grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love. 2 Corinthians 8:7-8 Regularly Occasionally Rarely
NOTES STUDY QUESTIONS 1. What did you find encouraging, informative or challenging about today s study? 2. Do you think of yourself as a human being or a human doer? How does God see us? 3. How/when did you realize how much God loves you? Would you say the feeling is mutual? 4. What specific action steps do you want to take refocus, redirect your life going forward?
A Jesus-Shaped Life FULFILLING MY LIFE MISSION Week 9 - February 27, 2017 The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to tell people the Good News about God s grace. Acts 20:24 1. MY MISSION: Jesus: As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you. John 20:21...You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world. Acts 1:8 Witness: Sharing what God has done in 2. MY MESSAGE:...proclaim the Good News to everyone, everywhere. Mark 16:15 The Good News shows how God makes people right with Himself that it begins and ends with faith As the Scripture says, Those who are right with God will live by trusting in Him. Romans 1:17 BENEFITS FOR MY PAST. For God was in Christ, restoring the world to Himself, no longer counting men s sins against them but blotting them out. This is the wonderful message He has given us to tell others. 2 Corinthians 5:19 RIGHT NOW. I came so that you might have life and have it to the fullest! John 10:10 A FOR MY FUTURE....God s free gift is eternal life through Jesus... Romans 6:23 life. 3. MY MOTIVE: For the love of Christ compels us... 2 Corinthians 5:14 The Holy Spirit doesn t want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them, If you will stir up this inner power, you will never be afraid to tell others about our Lord. 2 Timothy 1:7-8 4. MY METHOD: AND. Whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus Colossians 3:17 Make the most of your chances to tell others the Good News. Colossians 4:5 A TOOL: ESTABLISHING A SPIRITUAL BASE Send us around the world with the news of Your saving power and Your eternal plan for all mankind. Psalm 67:2
NOTES STUDY QUESTIONS 1. What did you find encouraging, informative or challenging about today s study? 2. What are some of the goals/purposes you ve pursued in the past? How was life different when you were living on purpose? 3. How is being a witness for Jesus like sharing good news with people? How does your answer to this question changes your attitude about being an intentional Christian witness? 4. What specific action steps do you want to take refocus, redirect your life going forward?
RESOURCES Throughout the course of this class and going forward, I would like to encourage a climate where people could readily ask for help and resources to navigate the patterns of our life in the areas of know, grow, show and share. I ve found that one of the best ways to share resources with others is to attend the class you re going to recommend others, read the books you d like them to read and/or watch a video or listen to a CD before giving it to someone else. Better yet offer to attend the class, watch the movie/ video with them and/or discuss a book or CD after they ve finished them. CLASSES The Alpha Series New Member Orientation MOVIES/CD/DVD Dinner with a Perfect Stranger BOOKS The Passionate Life AUTHOR Mike Breen / Walt Kallestad
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